6. The Westward Movement of the Church

Fayette The Prophet Joseph Smith left Fayette for Kirtland, Ohio, in January 1831. The three New York branches (Fayette, Colesville, and Manchester) followed in April and May 1831 under the Lord’s command to gather (see D&C 37–38).

Kirtland The headquarters of the Church was primarily in Kirtland from 1831 to 1838.

Independence The Lord identified Independence (in Jackson County, Missouri) as the center place of Zion in July 1831 (see D&C 57:3). Mobs forced the Saints out of Jackson County in November 1833.

Liberty The Saints from Jackson County gathered in Clay County from 1833 to 1836, when they were again required to leave. The Prophet Joseph Smith and five others were unjustly imprisoned here from December 1838 to April 1839.

Far West A refuge was established here for the Saints 1836–38. It was the headquarters of the Church in 1838. In 1838–39 the Saints were forced to flee to Illinois.

Nauvoo The headquarters of the Church 1839–46. After the martyrdom of the Prophet and his brother Hyrum, the Saints moved west.

Council Bluffs The pioneers arrived here June 1846. Members of the Mormon Battalion departed on July 21, 1846, under James Allen’s leadership.

Winter Quarters Important temporary settlement, 1846–48. The vanguard company under the direction of President Brigham Young departed for the West April 1847.

Fort Leavenworth The Mormon Battalion was outfitted here before starting the march west in August 1846.

Santa Fe Philip Cooke commanded the Mormon Battalion as it marched from here October 19, 1846.

Pueblo Three sick detachments of the Mormon Battalion were ordered to Pueblo to recuperate, where they spent the winter of 1846–47 with Saints from Mississippi. These parties entered the Salt Lake Valley in July 1847.

San Diego The Mormon Battalion completed its 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) march here on January 29, 1847.

Los Angeles The Mormon Battalion was discharged here July 16, 1847.

Sacramento Some discharged battalion members worked here and at Sutter’s Mill farther east on the American River. They were present when gold was discovered in January 1848.

Salt Lake City Headquarters of the Church from 1847 to the present. Brigham Young arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.